Program Description
The Land and Water Resources (LWR) Diploma program prepares students to effectively conserve and repair disturbed land and riparian zones, as well as monitor water quality and quantity. The main focus of the program is reclamation of sites disturbed by industrial development and activity, and the regulations of reclaiming such sites as per the BC Oil and Gas Commission and relevant government bodies.
Employment opportunities are primarily concentrated in the oil and gas sector with some opportunities in mining, forestry, independent environmental consulting firms, First Nation band offices, and municipalities. As resource companies strive to meet government guidelines and industry best practices, this field of work will continue to grow across western Canada. Travel and field work are regular features of careers within this industry.
Career Prospects
Employment opportunities include the following positions in government, industry, First Nation band offices, and consulting companies:
- Land Reclamation Technician
- Water Resource Technician
- Remediation Technician
- Drilling Waste Technician- Research Technician
Details
Location: Fort St. John, with some courses available through distance delivery and face to face on other NLC campuses.
Length: Four academic semesters (64 weeks) with a minimum of 1057 hours in total, practicum hours included. Students are required to complete this program within a 10 year period from the start date.
Start: One cohort every two years starting May and September on even years. Note that part-time learners can start the program in the January semester, but completion in this case could take 3.5 yrs due to the cohort model.
Fees: Current Fee Schedule
Admission Prerequisites
*English is the language of instruction in all programs at NLC, thus it is imperative that NLC students meet minimum English Language Proficiency requirements.
*In University Arts and Sciences and Related Programs, it is understood that the minimum English Language Proficiency requirement is that required to graduate from a Canadian high school program conducted in English. This is defined in the English Language Requirement document.
plus,
A. Domestic students must have official transcripts demonstrating the following:
1.Math Requirement: One of the following with a 'C' grade or higher: Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Math 040, or equivalent.
Alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
2.Science Requirement: One of the following with a 'C' grade or higher: Biology 11 or Biology 040; or Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 040; or Physics 11 or Physics 040; or successful completion of the BEAHR program or equivalency.
B. International students must have documentation demonstrating the following:
1.Math Requirement: One of the following with a 'C' grade or higher: Pre-calculus 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Math 040, or equivalent.
Alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
2.Science Requirement: One of the following with a 'C' grade or higher: Biology 11 or Biology 040; or Chemistry 11 or Chemistry 040; or Physics 11 or Physics 040; or successful completion of the BEAHR program or equivalency.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans for Domestic Students. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Students should be prepared to apply inventory methods and reclamation activities in outdoor settings. Personal equipment includes hiking or safety boots, warm and water proof clothing, clip board, and backpack.
- Practicum activities for LAND 290 will require students to have H2S, Basic First Aid, Pipeline Construction Safety Training, and WHMIS. Students will be responsible for obtaining certification as required prior to the fourth semester of the program. Personal safety gear will be available for students during the practicum activities, apart from protective footwear.
- Students are required to attend a Culture Camp through the Treaty 8 Tribal Association or other approved organization.
- The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Click to download the a PDF of the current Program Completion Guide
APPLY NOW for the Land and Water Resource Diploma program
Do you need more information? Admissions
Program Contact: Chair, University Arts and Sciences
(Cindy Broberg cbroberg@nlc.bc.ca, Dawson Creek campus; Issoufou Soumaila isoumaila@nlc.bc.ca, Fort St. John campus)
Courses
Semester 1:
CPSC 101: Introduction to Computing
BIOL 125: Basic Ecology
BIOL 127: Botany Basics
ENGL 110: Introduction to Workplace Communications
SOIL 117: Introduction to Soil Science
Semester 2:
ENGL 230: Technical Writing
GEOG 112: Physical Geography: Surface of the Earth
LAND 241: Petroleum Fundamentals
LAND 245: Inventory and Assessment Techniques
WATR 250: Introduction to Freshwater Resources
*Prior to the third semester, students are required to attend a Culture Camp through the Treaty 8 Tribal Association or other approved organization and submit a Certificate of Completion to the Registrar's Office.
Semester 3
AGRI 223: Introduction to Agriculture
GEOG 250: Cartography: Map and Air Photo Interpretation
LAND 227: Wildlife Habitat Conservation
SOIL 230: Soil Classification
WATR 260: Water Mensuration
**Prior to the fourth semester, students are required to submit a certificate or evidence of completion of required safety tickets to the Registrar's Office.
Semester 4:
FNST 102: Treaties and Aboriginal Rights
FRST 225: Forest Ecology
GEOG 260: Introduction to GIS
LAND 255: Land Reclamation
LAND 280: Introduction to Contaminated Sites
LAND 290: Work Practicum